The Love to Rent Awards sold out for the third year running, with entries up 30% on 2025 and just under 150 distinct organisations on the guest list. Now in their fourth year, the awards brought the Build to Rent sector together at The Londoner on Friday 23rd October 2026.
Anne-Marie Brown, Founder and Managing Director of Love to Rent, said: “You could see how much it meant to people to hear their company and team’s name called, and how genuinely pleased everyone was for each other. I’ve loved reading the messages since and seeing people make sure the colleagues who made it possible get their share of the credit.”
Readers following industry recognition schemes may also be interested in the launch of the Inspire Future Generations Awards with a new heritage category.
01Operators and people recognised
Leaf Living was named SFH Operator of the Year. Clint Bartman, Chief Operating Officer at Leaf Living, said: “We are proud to be named SFH Operator of the Year by Love to Rent, in recognition of Leaf Living’s commitment to operational excellence and resident satisfaction. As the UK single-family rental market continues to evolve, we believe success will be defined not only by the quality of homes provided, but by the consistency of the experience delivered to residents.”
The new People and Leadership awards were a highlight of the afternoon, recognising onsite teams, rising talent, unsung heroes and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sector. The celebrations continued across social platforms, with winners and finalists sharing what the recognition meant to them and thanking the colleagues behind their achievements.
At Dolphin Square, Elanna Fitzpatrick and Luis Gonzales won the Rising Talent and Unsung Hero awards. Amit Mistry from Dolphin Square said: “The introduction of the People’s Awards is a fantastic step for the industry, showcasing the heart behind the physical product. Celebrating the individuals and teams who make a real difference is vital to attracting and developing the talent that will shape the future of the rental sector.”
He added: “Dolphin Square is unique in showing how a historic asset can be successfully restored while delivering a modern, well-rounded resident experience, and that is only possible because of the people behind it.”
02Report due in January
The second edition of Love to Rent’s report, Showcasing Excellence in Build to Rent 2027, will be available at its exclusive winners and sponsors breakfast in January 2027. It will feature winners and finalists from every award category, with judges’ feedback explaining what made the winning entries stand out, alongside a selection of partner case studies and thought leadership articles.
For policymakers, the report will offer practical examples of how Build to Rent helps deliver new homes. For people looking for somewhere to rent, it will show what good rental living can look like day to day, from how a home is designed to the service residents receive after they move in.
The first edition of the report engaged 190 organisations across housing and investment. Its promotional campaign reached more than 230,000 industry professionals and generated over 47,000 organic LinkedIn impressions.
Details and image via Love to Rent.
